2Pac Biopic Director Now Has All Eyez On Eminem

Training Day director Antoine Fuqua has reportedly dropped out of the upcoming 2Pac biopic to pursue a new boxing movie entitled Southpaw , slated to feature rapper-turned-actor Eminem.

Details of the sudden directorial change landed online this week.

Just over a year ago we heard director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Shooter, Brooklyn's Finest) was set to helm a biopic about the late rapper Tupac Shakur. That project was supposed to begin production last September, but for some reason still hasn't gotten off the ground. Now 24 Frames reports that although Fuqua was still slated to direct the film as of last month, apparently he has since stepped away from the project and has moved onto another one with a living hip-hop artist. Apparently the director is now circling Southpaw, a new boxing drama which already has Marshall Mathers, or rather Eminem, attached to star. (First Showing)

Additional reporting claims that finalizing the deal to bring Fuqua over has not yet been completed.

Fuqua is set to come aboard Southpaw, a fictional boxing drama written and conceived by "Sons of Anarchy" creator Kurt Sutter and starring the Detroit rapper, said a source briefed on the film who requested anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak about it publicly. The DreamWorks film aims to shoot later this year. Fuqua has no formal deal in place as yet. [Update, 6:52 p.m.: A person close to Fuqua said the two still must work out a number of deal points.] A studio spokeswoman declined comment. (Los Angeles Times)

Last month, Eminem hinted at his plans to make a return to the big screen after debuting in 2002's 8 Mile blockbuster hit.

"There are some things in the [works], a couple of scripts," Eminem answered. "I guess it's more so of just waiting now to see how they come together. Obviously it's gotta be something that I feel is dope enough to make me want to say, 'OK, let me put the mic down for a second and go do this movie.' There are some things that are in the works. I guess we'll just see how they come together." (RapFix)

While Fuqua's directorial spot may be open for the Pac biopic, rapper-turned-actor Soulja Boy Tell Em has already shown interest in playing the late hip-hop mogul.

"How that whole thing came about, I was doing the 'Juice' mixtape and that got out. I'm with William Morris Agency and they sent me an email, the subject was 'Tupac,' so I clicked on it," Soulja Boy explained in an interview. "They were interested in having me for the role. I told them I was going to let them know. After that, I got this offer for this part for this movie called 'Officer Down' so I've been here in Connecticut [shooting]. I was on set with this actor Stephen Dorff and he was like, 'Yeah man, you should do that [play Tupac].' This is like really my first big movie, Lionsgate Films in theaters where people are going to see me acting. I was kind of hesitant [to audition for the Tupac film] but they told me that Tupac's mom is on board with the movie. That was one of the things that I was like, 'Hey, as long as his moms is cool with it I can consider it.'" (The Boom Box)